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Absentee ballots available for Jan. 24 recall election

Ballots were made available for the City of Valley City's Jan. 24 recall election on Wednesday morning, and city officials are encouraging registered voters within city limits to pick up their ballots sooner rather than later.

"Basically, we wanted to get the word out so that people do the absentee ballots, because the weather can be so questionable in January, and because we have so many snowbirds," said city administrative assistant Becki Andersen. "It just saves everybody time and postage.
"The ballots are required to be ready 40 days before the election, and we've gone even (earlier) than that just to accommodate everybody," Andersen said.

The January special election will decide the city commission president (mayor) position, as well as one city commissioner position. Current mayor Bob Werkhoven is being challenged by Dean Ross for the mayor seat, and current Commissioner Ken Evenson is up for recall against Duane (Dewey) Magnuson. The recall election was petitioned for by a group of local citizens and was certified by City Auditor Avis Richter on Oct. 17.

Those wishing to vote in the election can both register to vote and pick up their absentee ballots at City Hall, but residents who want to do their civic duty the old fashioned way by casting a ballot in person will still be able to do so.
"There's no precincts involved (in this election), so the voting will be in the commission chambers (at City Hall)," Andersen said, mentioning that polls will be open on election day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.